An efficient finite volume model for shallow geothermal systems-Part II: Verification, validation and grid convergence

  • Authors:

  • M. Nabi;R. Al-Khoury

  • Affiliations:

  • Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands;Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands

  • Venue:
  • Computers & Geosciences
  • Year:
  • 2012

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Abstract

This part of the series of two papers presents the computational capability of the finite volume model, described in Part I, to simulate three-dimensional heat transfer processes in multiple borehole heat exchangers embedded in a multi-layer soil mass. Geothermal problems which require very fine grids, of the order of millions of finite volumes, can be simulated using coarse grids, of the order of few to tens of thousands elements. Accordingly, significant reduction of CPU time is gained, rendering the model suitable for utilization in engineering practice. A verification example comparing the computational results with an analytical solution of a benchmark case is given. A validation example comparing computed results with measured results is presented. Furthermore, numerical examples are presented describing the possible utilization of the model for research works and design.